Albion appoint Hughton as manager

CHRIS Hughton has been appointed the new manager of Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Hughton takes the hot seat after Sami Hyypia resigned as manager last week and, speaking to Albion’s website, he said: “I’m thrilled to be back in management and Brighton & Hove Albion is a fantastic club, with a first-class infrastructure, both in footballing and business terms.

“We’ve got one very obvious initial challenge, and I am aiming to hit the ground running, but I am confident with the resources at the club we can succeed in retaining our status in the Championship.”

Hughton guided Newcastle to the Championship title in 2010 and has also managed Birmingham and Norwich, who sacked him earlier this year.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: “Chris has an excellent record in coaching and management. He’s hugely respected, both nationally and internationally, and he has great contacts within the game.

“He is someone who has a real wealth of experience in the top two divisions, from nearly 15 years at Spurs as a coach, assistant and interim manager, through to his more recent work in the Premier League and Championship.

“Chris is also a manager who has a track record for developing talent at all levels from academy upwards and will embrace the work we’ve been doing at the club in this area in recent seasons.”

Bloom also praised Nathan Jones, who took charge of two games following Hyypia’s resignation, picking up four points, with a 2-2 draw at home to Reading and then a 2-0 win at Fulham.

Bloom said: “He’s an important part of our club and will be a vital part of Chris’s team. During his interim spell in charge, he has done a superb job in tough circumstances, with suspensions, injury and illness.”

Hughton’s first game in charge of Albion will be away to Brentford in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.